209 muzzle loader rifle recommendation needed

[somoss]

recently got a rifle for hungting from recommendations on this board. Now would like to get a muzzle loader for hunting. Mostly whilte tail deer, MD/VA area. would like a rifle recommendations. price no more than $350. i will add a scope to it. i have been shooting BP for a while (traditional) so am familiar with some of it.
what do you recommend?
no rush, buying to practice for next hunting season.

 

[bubba15301]

stick with traditional muzzleloaders

 

[hunt]

the traditions pursuit LT, is a very nice shooting and its easy handling as well as fairly light weight
avg price here in stainless should be just under your price limit
which ever you choose
just research and keep in mind many are biased
myself i own Traditions, CVA,TC and RUGER

 

[ridgerunner1965]

i have a remington 700 ml that i really like, i got it with 209 primer conversion on it.they dont make them anymore but the used ones seem common. i also have a ruger 700ml that i like even better, theres still some of them around too. these rifles make the new crop of inlines look pretty weak, but thats just my opinion.

 

[somoss]

any particualr model TC, Knight, or CVA that is recommended or not?
tx

 

[45Fan]

I have had pretty good luck with CVA. T/C, Traditions, or any of the other big names in muzzle loaders would likely be just as good. The biggest thing, as with any new gun, is finding the load that particular gun likes. My dad picked up two identical CVA inlines several years ago, his LOVED powerbelts, but wouldnt shoot anything esle very well. Mine would barely keep a pattern on a pie plate at 50 yards, switched to sabbots, and its grouping around 2" at 100 yards.

 

[TikiG]

As you ask for a specific model, consider CVA Optima. Decent for the money...

I'm in the same boat and have looked and held many. It will work for me.

-TikiG

 

[swampgeek]

Traditions Buckstalker is a nice lightweight deer gun with a 24" barrel. I can consistently group 1 1/2" or less at 100yds. I have been playing around out past 200yds on 1ft by 1ft steel targets lately. Dead on accurate and easy to carry around thick woods.

I checked cabelas and they are running around $200. I got mine on sale for $150 last year.

 

[Pancho]

I bought and can recommend the Lyman Mustang. I've grown to prefer the break-down guns to the bolt actions for their ease of cleaning.

 

[frontiergander]

www.rrarms.com they have the cva optima with QRBP for $225. Excellent shooting machine and comes with a real stainless steel barrel.

 

[cborden]

CVA Optima

My only complaint about the Optima is that the sling studs are molded out of plastic and after two days of hunting the back one broke right off. I have not called CVA yet as hunting season just ended but I was not happy when this happened.

 

[somoss]

Anyone know the difference between wolf - optima - encore?
Thnx

 

[TikiG]

Actually I believe it goes wolf, optima, accura, apex.

Basically, it's a good, better, best type scenario with cost going up.

The wolf is entry level (blue 24") but still nice, has qrbp (quick-release breech plug), optima (stainless steel, better barrel and slightly better ergo), accura has best barrel, apex interchangeable barrels with standard smokeless chamberings offerings as well i.e. 270, 30-06 etc possible.

Wolf or Optima will get the job done for general purposes. If you have the money get the Optima.

Check cva website for specific details...

TikiG

 

[arcticap]

Anyone know the difference between wolf - optima - encore?
Thnx

The Encore is made in the U.S. by Thompson Center and is based on a break action center fire receiver.
The Wolf & Optima are made in Spain for CVA and are dedicated break action muzzle loaders.
The TC Encore is 2X-3x more expensive than either of those 2 CVA models.

 

[straight-shooter]

If your considering the CVA then I would recommend purchasing the Accura model. The trigger setup on the accura is second to none. No creep and light and crisp to the point that no smithing is required after the purchase. You'll be pleasantly surprised how nice it actually is. Overall I feel like the Accura is the best bang for the buck.